Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his side clung on for a win - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Despite he once famously said that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize different setups has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Currently is a different juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press criticize altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"This will help us grow into a better team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to employ three defenders exclusively."
Injury Crisis Persist
Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
